Best and Worst Trends of 2008

Time flies when your having fun and this year was no exception. Despite daily reminders of our failing economy, there was no shortage of brilliant fashion must haves, or fashion mishaps, for that matter. Below is the official Oligoville recap of the Best and Worst Trends 2008 had to offer. So lets get to it!

Who could not feel pretty with girlie details of lace and ruffles? We saw them both on everything from dresses to gloves from spring to fall. This is a trend I foresee going well into next year and for good reason. Its very versatile as it can take a day look effortlessly into evening.

Lace and ruffles also flawlessly softened one of our personal favorite trends of the year, menswear. The combination of frilly and pretty with the more structured pieces made for a nice combination of silhouettes and textures.

When it came to accessories our favorite two had to have been chains and layered bangles. They both added instant glam and in the case of the bangles, they added a punch of color for the more fearless gals out there.

Color and sophistication was also added with our much talked about scarves. A variety of shapes, prints and colors spruced up boring or unadventurous ensembles faster than your can say ITS A WRAP.

As a shoe addict, I have many to call favorites but when it comes down to the shoe I wore the most this summer, it was undoubtedly my beloved gladiator sandals. I love these so much, I plan on wearing them next year as well! This trend doesn’t end with ’08. These puppies were seen in all colors, including metallics, textures and heights. Who can forget the Balenciaga woven knee length sandals that started it all?

What was great about the gladiator sandal is that it paired beautifully with my skinny jeans. I dont think I can ever go back to a boot leg now! Those jeans just hug every curve perfectly and look great with my other favorite shoe that is worth mentioning…the bootie.

As I’m writing this, I am wearing a pair of plum colored tights. My otherwise all black outfit would have been to dull and one always needs a touch of color. Anyone who puts this trend on the worst list just has to be crazy….at least that is what I think right now. This leads me into the worst trends of 2008.

In hindsight a lot of things were NOT a good idea. Like the time I was an accomplice in a night of egging houses while in high school, but that’s a story for another day. Lets fast forward a bit to early 2008 when Art nouveau details seemed pretty, fashion forward and the new IT thing. Wow…what a difference a few months can make!

The Prada shoes shown above pretty much sums it up now. They are pretty ugly, a fashion disaster and made your feet look like they were encased in a contraption of sorts.

Hammer pants anyone? I didnt go for these in the 90′s and I did’nt go for them this go round either. Lets put these to rest people.

Designers went crazy for sculptural and architectural details in both clothing and shoes. In an effort to show something avant guard they ended up with clothing that were down right dangerous. Even surfaces to walk on were essential at all times…no exceptions!

Yves Saint Laurent was responsible for the short lived (thank god!) craze for anything with stars. We saw them as prints, details on shoes and especially in resin jewelry. Forever 21 jumped on that bandwagon in a fashion nano second furthering the proliferation of star spangled ugliness.

I was kinda feeling the goth look this year but quickly realized that ripped jeans and skulls had a place and time in fashion for me. Mid thirties and a job involving cubicles were not it. Besides…… skulls? When will this trend ever die?!?!?! Pun totally intended.

The Australian classic boot company put the ugg in fugly. Dont get me wrong. I’m all for keeping your footsies toasty warm in the dead of winter but when its a 100 degree day in Texas and the rest of your outfit involves minimal coverage, you know your going to regreat that fashion decision at some point.

Last but certainly not least are the 80′s style glasses seen on hipsters everywhere. These dont need an explination. Just look at them and try looking OUT from them.

So there you have it ladies. Our official 2008 trend recap with the best and worst fashion had to offer. Perhaps the lesson learned here is, if it seems a little odd at first, odds are its going to be ALOT odd a few months down. I’m just sayin’.